Agatha Wong headlines Day 1 of World Games campaign for Team Philippines

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Wushu star Agatha Wong leads the charge for the 47-strong Team Philippines as she competes in the women’s combined taolu taijijian event at the 2025 World Games, hoping to deliver the country’s first podium finish in this prestigious non-Olympic multi-sport competition.

The 27-year-old Wong, a two-time World Championship silver medalist and five-time SEA Games gold winner, is considered one of the Philippines’ top medal bets. She begins her campaign at 10:15 a.m. Friday in the qualification round at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium and, if successful, will return for the finals at 7:50 p.m.

Team Philippines athletes light up the opening ceremony at Tianfu International Convention Center. [photo credit: Chengdu World Games 2025]

Wong favored to win in stacked field

Wong faces tough competition from fellow elite wushu athletes, including Singapore’s Zeanne Law, Malaysia’s Sy Xuan Chin, and Ukraine’s Oryna Ivanova. Still, the seasoned Filipina remains focused.

“I did all the work, the training, and as long as I do my best in my event I think I am going to be okay,” Wong said.

In the men’s division, Benguet native Jones Llabres Inso competes in the same combined taolu taijijian category at 8:30 p.m., eyeing a finals spot for Saturday.

Wakeboard, muay thai, and floorball athletes also compete

Meanwhile, cable wakeboard athlete Raph Trinidad and wake surf hopeful Eric Ordonez also go for strong showings in the qualifying rounds of their respective events at the Sancha Lake Arena starting 11 a.m. Both are eyeing slots in the medal round.

At 1 p.m., muay thai fighter Rudzma Abubakar, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and accompanied by Chef de Mission Stephen Arapoc, competes in the women’s 48kg division at the Sichuan Gymnasium.

“I really prepared well for this,” Abubakar shared. “They just reminded me to believe in myself.”

The men’s floorball team, however, suffered a tough 12-2 loss against Latvia at the Xindu Xiangcheng Sports Centre. Melvin Mendoza and Simon Larano fought valiantly, but the squad was overwhelmed by Latvia’s size and physicality. The team hopes to bounce back against Sweden on Saturday and Switzerland on Sunday.

All athletes are riding high from the energy of Thursday night’s opening ceremony at the Tianfu International Convention Center, with their eyes now set on bringing glory to the Philippines.